The original was built by the Paterson Vehicle Company and was a stainless steel ‘Silk City’ diner car. Since that time, there have been three redesigns of the famous diner. The Tick Tock Diner was opened in 1948 by a Greek-American who ran lunch carts at nearby office buildings. For this reason, they were made to a shape that mimicked that of a trailer or train car, which is why diners are often confused as railcars. Each building was transported by truck to its new location.
Between the years 19, an estimated 2,000 diners were built out of his factory. In 1912, a man named Jerry O’Mahony began manufacturing prefabricated diner buildings in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Read More: These Are the Best Soups in Montclairĭiners originated from horse-drawn lunch wagons in Providence, Rhode Island. With improved roads, more cars, and many working-class citizens, diners were a place where people could get a delicious, cheap meal at any time of day or night. It was then that the rise of New Jersey diners began.
#Tick tock story time drivers#
Drivers took routes from Philadelphia to New York directly, and they wanted to eat along the way. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York were connected via central throughways, and travel among the three states became common. In the early 20th century, as cars became more popular for both work and play, drivers found the need for roadside dining. Read on to learn more about this culinary classic in North Jersey. The silver paneled exterior stands out amid the neighboring strip malls and stucco buildings on the busy highway, its neon glory a beacon of New Jersey dining history. Located at 281 Allwood Road along Route 3 West in Clifton, is the iconic diner known throughout the state for its consistent food, 24/7 offerings, and ever-varied clientele. Before there was the viral video phone app TikTok, there was the New Jersey Tick Tock - Diner, that is.